Hop, hop, hop! In it came at the window, the dearest
little yellow canary, not a bit afraid; chirping,
turning its pretty head this way and that, and asking its
little bird questions which nobody could understand.
George, and Winifred, and little Bruce were all filled
with delight and amazement at the small visitor. Wise
George flew to shut the window, kind Winny ran for
cake, and solemn Bruce took his finger out of his mouth
and stared.
Meanwhile Dicky sidled, and fluttered, and chattered,
and at last showed he was used to society by setting
down on George's finger, winking at Bruce, and making
a good meal of Winny's cake.
"Do you think he can have flown straight from the
Canary Islands?" asked Winny.
But George shook his head; it was too far.
But still they had a feeling that the little visitor was
a sort of emigrant, who must be led to settle at Fairleigh
Cottage; and Winny ran to ask her mother for the half-crown
out of her money-box to buy him a cage.
"Mother's coming," she said. "She thinks Birdie
belongs to some one else, because he is so tame."
"But there are no canaries in the village, except the
schoolmaster's pair," said wise George; "and this little
beauty is not one of them. I really think this bird must
have come to look for a home."
[Illustration]
[Illustration: A]
Stands over Apples,
So rosy and round.
[Illustration: B]
Begins the word Berries,
Which grow near the ground.
[Illustration: C]
Commences Cherries,
They grow upon trees.
[Illustration: D]
Date-Palms or Desert,
Spell which word you please.
[Illustration]